Category: Jobs in Radiology

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Jobs in Radiology

5 Reasons Why You Should Work in Radiology

Choosing your profession hinges on so many factors. You will need to look at your personal interests, talents, and skills, and know what inspires you or makes you want to push yourself to train, advance your education, and achieve your ambition.

There are careers that are more appropriate for driven, determined individuals who like structure and hectic schedules, while other professions nurture the more creative, independent free spirits who are attracted to versatile settings.

The demand for health care professionals within radiology is expected to continue to grow as more advances in equipment and treatments are being introduced. But before you jump in and enroll in radiology courses, you should be absolutely sure about this commitment that you are about to make. Here are several reasons why you should choose a career in radiology:

1. Radiology is for people-oriented personalities.

5 Reasons Why You Should Work in Radiology - BecomeaRadiologist.orgIf you are a radiology technician or radiologist, you will be dealing with people in a very personal way every day and have the chance to make a difference in their health and way of life.

Radiology and imaging techniques are now being more effectively used to pinpoint medical issues as early as possible, allowing for prevention or more efficient treatment.

If you are someone who likes to interact with people in a very personal way, know their stories, and get to know them very well, radiology could be a great career for you.

2. Radiology offers something new all the time.

How many people in other professions can say that they get to look inside the human anatomy and see the workings of the body on a daily basis? Radiology is hardly like a mundane office job that settles you into a desk in front of the computer most of the day.

3. Radiology offers job growth and advancement potential.

It offers exciting prospects for health care professionals, and is projected to continue to grow. In fact, there is a considerable shortage at the moment of qualified radiologists, radiology technicians, and radiology technologists all over the world. This surplus of radiology jobs makes the field of radiology attractive to prospective med students.

If you are determined and get the right training and experience, finding stable employment with the prospect of advancement would not be much of an issue.

4. Radiology does pay considerably well.

Of course, when we look for possible career options, we always consider how financially rewarding and viable it will be to maintain our way of life. The average salary for health care professionals working in the field of radiology would prove to be quite lucrative.

The average annual radiologist salary would be right between $250,00 – 300,00 yearly. Meanwhile, for radiology technicians and technologists, the pay grade averages $54,180. It does pay off to invest time, money, and effort into a career in radiology.

5. Radiology is an important aspect of health care.

Without radiology, doctors, surgeons, and other health care practitioners would be left in the dark and have a harder time trying to figure out patients’ needs and illnesses in an attempt to come up with the best solution. While all this imaging technology is now available, they do need skilled, qualified professionals to properly handle the tests.

If you like being part of something that means much more, and you like working with a team that has a common goal, radiology could be a career choice you would not regret.

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Jobs in Radiology

Radiologist Job Description: What to Expect

Radiologists are some of the most sought-after medical professionals nowadays, and also enjoy higher-than-average salaries than many of their peers in the health care industry. This position of radiologists, of course, also comes with rigorous training and many hours of practice and learning under mentors.

Radiologists also have to be ready for a variety of work-related duties and responsibilities directly or indirectly dealing with the patients they work with.

What Exactly Do Radiologists Do?

Radiologist Job Description - BecomeaRadiologist.org

A radiologist’s main responsibility is the diagnosis of illnesses through a range of imaging technologies used by health care professionals today.

In large hospitals and facilities, the radiology technician is usually tasked with the actual preparation of the patient and the carrying out of the examination, while the radiologist analyzes the results and discusses them with the patient.

However, in smaller clinics, the radiologist would also be responsible for the entire procedure from start to finish.

Operating Imaging Equipment

Radiologists are trained to operate the imaging machinery and equipment to ensure that an accurate portrait of the body area to be examined will be achieved. Examinations they may be tasked to master include ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans, barium studies and angiography.

This is very important in the diagnostic procedure; if the examination is improperly carried out, certain details may be missed which could lead to inaccurate diagnosis and treatment. Radiologists also have to learn to correctly position the patients, explain the procedures to be performed, and make special arrangements or adjustments as necessary for patients with specific conditions (i.e. limited mobility, pacemakers).

Analyzing Test Results

In the analysis of the test results, radiologists often confer with other doctors or physicians, especially those who specialize in the disease or condition diagnosed in the patient. Many times, the doctor or specialist who ordered the test will be the one to discuss the results with the patient, but the analysis will most likely still be discussed with the radiologist, so he or she must have a thorough and working knowledge in this area.

Treating Medical Conditions

Advanced medical research and technology are making it possible for radiation to be used more and more for treatments of diseases and medical conditions, and there are radiologists who now train and specialize in interventional radiology. This involves using radiation technology to treat growths, tumors, and other conditions, as well as the maintenance of radioisotopes, and other procedures related to nuclear medicine.

Many radiologists are not tied to examination duties all the time. They may also be tasked to handle administrative responsibilities, including patient records, customer service, patient reviews, etc. Many radiologists are even given mentorship or teaching duties, whether it is in-hospital or at local teaching facilities.

The Day-to-Day Work

When it comes to work hours and schedules, radiologists enjoy some of the most flexible among medical professionals. Many are able to work from home part of the time if they work at a hospital with an advanced Web-based network.

Radiologists are not usually expected to be on-call throughout the day, rather, they have set schedules and more vacation time than their peers (on average, 8-12 weeks yearly).

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Jobs in Radiology

Become a Radiologist: Training & Education Requirements

How do you become a radiologist? A radiologist is an important part of the medical field, and is also expected to have a detailed knowledge of the human anatomy and the various medical illnesses and conditions that normally require radiologic imaging and treatments.

On the average, a radiologist-to-be would have to commit at least 13 years of his or her life to the education and training required to become a practicing radiologist.

The First Step: a Bachelor’s Degree

Your career path to becoming a radiologist will usually start with a bachelor’s degree, with the prerequisite courses including biology, physics, or chemistry.

If you are looking to gain more experience in working in medical settings, you can opt to find part-time work or volunteer options at local hospitals or health care facilities even during your undergraduate education; many institutions offer work programs for undergraduate students in medical school prerequisites.

Medical School

After you get your undergraduate education, the next step is medical school, which is another four years of your life.

Medical school will let you learn the sciences in a classroom setting, including anatomy, biochemistry, pathology, pharmacology, and other areas of learning. Then another two years will consist of clinical rotation learning and experiencing the various areas of internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and more.

Four Years of Radiology Residency

Become a Radiologist: Training & EducationOnce you have completed medical school, it will be time for your radiology residency. This is a four-year period of specialized medical education, clinical rotations in the different specializations within radiology, paid internship and training, lectures, research, and other tasks.

The residency will allow you to immerse yourself even more in the day-to-day activities and responsibilities which you will have to perform on your own once you are a licensed radiologist.

During residency, you will also have to master radiation safety and precautions. Most radiologists also continue with up to two more years of specialized training with a fellowship, a more personalized and rigorous form of mentorship in a specific area of radiology such as nuclear medicine.

Get Certified

Radiologists need to have licensure or board certification in order to practice. Board certification and requirements vary from state to state, and even by country. Generally, however, there are oral and written exams that applicants must pass, and these exams encompass everything learned so far in all those years of training and education.

Once licensed, the certification does not end for radiologists, as the license must be renewed regularly. The exams that need to be passed for licensure include the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) or Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam (COMLEX).

Learning Never Stops

Now, the medical industry is constantly changing and being revolutionized by advances in research and technology. Even when a radiologist has finally completed the required training and education, the road to learning never stops.

A radiologist who wants to remain relevant and updated with the latest developments in the field of radiology can take it on himself to take continuing courses, refreshers, or even online classes to enhance skills and information. Any opportunities to develop one’s knowledge and skillset should be maximized in order to stay competitive and aware of the continuing growth in radiology.

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Jobs in Radiology

Radiation Oncology: Job Description and Salary

Many of us have had to deal with different forms of cancer, whether personally or in the life of a family member, loved one, or friend.

In the medical field, research and scientific studies continue to be carried out in an attempt to increase our understanding of the various types of cancer, as well as improve our ability to combat its effects.

Radiation oncology is one of the treatment techniques used today to eradicate specific cancers in the body.

The Job of Radiation Oncologists

Radiation oncologists’ duties will include the analysis and confirmation of cancer-related diagnoses from a physician or diagnostic radiologist. They are part of the process of determining the results of an imaging examination performed on a patient.

Radiation oncologists also must figure out the best treatment or therapy to recommend to a patient with cancer. This treatment will attempt to eradicate the cancerous cells in the patient’s body, but maintain the healthy state of the other cells around the cancerous area.

Using advanced imaging techniques and three-dimensional equipment, radiation oncologists determine where cancerous tumors and cells are located, and then map out a treatment strategy that will minimize the risks of radiation.

Radiation Treatment Strategies

One example of radiation treatments is stereotactic radiosurgery, a minimally invasive procedure that locates specific areas of the body through high-powered X-rays. This technique then performs actions such as lesions, biopsies, injections, implantation, and other procedures.

Radiation therapy can also be combined with chemotherapy, another form of treatment which uses chemical agents to eliminate cancer in the body.

Radiation oncologists have the serious responsibility of discussing with the patient the extent of the cancer in his or her body, and then going over treatment plans and strategies that will have to be undertaken, as well as how much drugs or radiation the patient will have to undergo.

Radiation Oncology: Job Description and Salary - BecomeaRadiologist.org

It is a must for radiation oncologists to have very strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to calmly and clearly discuss medical conditions and treatments with patients, provide motivation and leadership, share encouragement, and give emotional support.

Training to Become a Radiation Oncologist

Training to become a radiation oncologist starts with a bachelor’s degree in a medical or science-related field of study.

Applying to medical school is the next step, which is another four years, followed by a 12-month internship and four years of resident training. Residency is particularly important because students will learn and master both clinical and radiation oncology.

In the United States, radiation oncologists seek certification from the American Board of Radiology, and are licensed after passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination.

Expected Salary

As with most careers related to radiology, the average salary for a radiation oncologist is generally higher compared to other peers in the medical field due to the demand for medical professionals who are skilled in the different areas of radiology. In 2010, the average annual salary for a radiation oncologist stood at $151,000.

Employment opportunities are also abundant, with a 22 percent increase between 2002-2018 projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as the population ages and requires radiation treatments.

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Jobs in Radiology

Radiology Jobs: Where to Apply for a Career in Radiology

Despite the many challenges facing the medical industry in general, it is no surprise that health care professionals are still very much in demand today. Health care services and treatment facilities are always a necessity especially in the next few years as an aging population continues to grow.

Ever since the introduction of X-rays, MRI, CT scans, and other imaging technologies, radiology jobs have continued to be among the more stable and well-paid professions in the medical industry.

Radiology professions

Radiology Jobs: Where to Apply for a Career in RadiologyWithin the field of radiology, there are various professions you can consider pursuing, and the opportunities for each also vary. Radiologists, or those who specialize in analyzing the images and diagnosing illnesses, are among the best-paid in the medical community.

General diagnostic radiologists averaging an annual salary of $470,939. Interventional radiologists, or those who specialize in the use of radiation in the treatment of certain illnesses, particularly tumors and growths, command even higher salaries, with an average annual pay of $507,508.

Look into job options

The trade-off, of course, is that it takes many years of undergraduate and medical school, not to mention residency and fellowship training, to become a practicing radiologist. This may not be an option anymore for those who are already in the middle of a career and thinking of switching to a radiology-related profession.

Fortunately, there are other careers in radiology that are also in demand, such as that of a radiology technician. Radiology technicians assist radiologists in the examination procedures. In hospitals and clinics, the technicians are the ones who help to prepare the patients for the actual testing, and they are also trained to operate the testing equipment and analyze results.

Radiologic technologists and radiology technicians are not required to undergo the same rigorous and long medical training as radiologists. While they still go through the right training and practice, the length of the education is much shorter, with many learning institutions offering associate’s degrees and certificate programs for radiology technicians.

Two-year radiology technician course

After a two-year program, you can already be a certified radiology technician and find employment at hospitals or medical facilities. On the average, the annual salary of radiologic technicians and technologists is 54,340 per year, and the job outlook for this area of radiology is very positive, with an expected growth of 28% up to 2020.

Teleradiology

With the advancements continually being made in technology, another interesting facet of radiology that may very well be a major force in coming years is the rise of teleradiology. There has been a recent trend among hospitals to outsource their radiology needs to contractors and companies working remotely.

Teleradiology companies and providers are sprouting up, usually staffed by recent radiology graduates who provide digital imaging analysis to hospitals and physicians remotely. These teleradiology companies first started as a response to the need for nighttime demand, but because of their cost-efficiency they are now also being used for daytime loads.

If you are considering a radiology job, you could also look into working with one of these teleradiology providers, which will allow you to work from home and have a more flexible schedule.

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Jobs in Radiology

X-ray Technician: What to Expect

So you are thinking of a career as an X-ray technician. This could very well be a promising path for you to take.

Many states have bright employment prospects for X-ray technicians and for radiology professionals in general, especially in places where there are higher numbers of seniors and patients needing medical care and diagnostic imaging.

What kind of career awaits you as an X-ray technician these days?

What You Will Be Doing

X-ray Technician: What to Expect - How to Become a RadiologistYour main job will be to procure images of a person’s body in order to see and diagnose various medical conditions.

Using modern imaging equipment, the images you take will provide physicians and radiologists with the necessary test results to base their medical findings on and to lay out a plan for treatment.

This makes the role of the X-ray technician extremely important, and training for this position is anything but simple.

What You Will Need To Learn

The X-ray technician-to-be will have to learn medical terminology and concepts during training. Even though you may not be directly involved in the treatment of diseases or conditions, you do have to be familiar with them, as a working knowledge of the different conditions will make you more effective and insightful in your role.

The most important part of the training of the X-ray technician is learning how to operate the imaging equipment, something which he or she will have to operate on a daily basis once out of training and performing actual work. X-ray equipment can be either stationed or portable, and the X-ray technician will need to learn how to operate both efficiently.

Interpersonal Skills Required

Another part of your training is knowing how to put the patients at ease and make them as comfortable as possible during the examination. Many people have apprehensions regarding medical procedures.

Part of the X-ray technician’s responsibilities may include explaining to the patient what needs to be done to correctly perform the test, and how to position them correctly to get the right images. Some patients may also need appropriate adjustments or considerations with regard to physical limitations or mobility issues.

Safety First

Safety precautions are also part of the X-ray technician’s duties, and this is taught during training. The goal is to minimize radiation exposure to as little as possible.

Lead sheets, protective clothing, and other blocking devices are utilized in order to minimize the exposure to X-rays. The X-ray technician must see to it that the patient is adequately protected, and during training this is taught and practiced.

Opportunities Await

X-ray technicians are in demand in many parts of the country because of the growing medical care industry and the many treatments and equipment the require their expertise. One of the biggest advantages of the X-ray technician is the fact that they need less years of education and training in order to be able to find employment.

Many two-year vocational courses and programs allow an X-ray technician to find gainful employment in hospitals, doctor’s clinics, radiology clinics, dental offices, and other places.

The average salary of an X-ray technician starts at around $45,000 annually, and many X-ray technicians command salaries of up to $55,000. Also, as you begin to work as an X-ray technician you can choose to continue your education and make yourself more competitive.